M. TECHNOLOGY. 567 



vessels, manned by from ten to fifteen j^ersons eaclj, "being 

 occupied during the season in capturing the birds and secur- 

 ing the oil. A single schooner has been known to procure 

 25,000 to 30,000 gallons in the course of from four to six 

 weeks. Eleven birds furnish about a gallon of oil, so that 

 the cariro of this vessel involved the destruction of more than 

 275,000 birds. The oil is sent to London, and used solely for 

 dressing leather. 



The Dusky Petrel {Puffinus obscicriis), sometimes called the 

 Mutton Bird, from its great fatness, is also hunted in New 

 Zealand, and other localities in the Pacific, on account of its 

 flit. The oil will run out of the mouth of the young birds 

 when squeezed. This oil has been used as a liniment for 

 rheumatism, and answers Avell for illuminating purposes. It 

 is said to be very similar to goose fat. Other species of the 

 petrel family, as also the Frigate Pelican {Tacliypetes aqid- 

 las), are hunted for the same purpose. The fat of the Os- 

 trich [Struthio camelus) is likewise saved by the hunters, and 

 eaten on bread, as a substitute for butter. It also has a local 

 reputation as a remedy for rheumatism and in bilious aifec- 

 tions. The Cassowary is prized for the same purpose. A 

 peculiar kind of goat-sucker found in Trinidad and Venezuela 

 (the Steatornis carij^ensis^ or Fat Bird) derives its generic 

 name from its immense accumulation of fat under the skin, 

 for which it is hunted by the Indians. 2 A,Feh. 1, 1873, 95. 



IMPROVEMENT IN MANUFACTURE OF PAPER PULP FROM WOOD. 



In the chemical methods (especially those of Sinclair and 

 Tessie de Motay) for converting wood into pulp for paper 

 (admitted to be superior to the mechanical methods on ac- 

 count of the economy of power, and the non-requirement of 

 a prolonged beating so injurious to toughness of the stuff*), 

 high pressure, up to fourteen atmospheres, and a strong soda 

 solution are required, together with subsequent beating, and 

 consequent reduction of tenacity below that of rag stuff'. 

 Ungerer now claims from experiments in his laboratory (to 

 be followed up by tests in a mill, in course of construction, 

 and intended to turn out 50 cwt. daily), that it is possible to 

 dispense with the costly process of mechanical comminution 

 of the w^ood, and to get along with a steam pressure of but 

 five to six atmospheres, as ^vell as with half the amount of 



